Mental Health and Addiction Services Board members sworn in

NORWALK — Huron County Commissioners re-appointed Dayna Mills and appointed Wedie Parsons-Nuhn to the Huron County Board of Mental and Addiction Services at the commission meeting Tuesday. Mills, a resident of Willard, works as the business development coordinator at Seacrest Recovery, a residential treatment facility located in Willard. "She brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the team that will drive a lot of programs to the community," said Kristen Cardone, the board's executive director. Mills, herself in recovery, wants the public to know there are resources available to them that they may not be aware exist and she can be a conduit between the individual and the help they need. "I want to be able to let people know about the available resources. I meet a lot of people in need, and they don't know what's out there and they don't know where to go for help. I want to be able to spread the awareness," Mills said. In addition to re-appointing Mills for another term, the board also welcomed a new member. Parsons-Nuhn, a resident of Collins, is the owner of A New Lease Counseling & Recovery Services, located in Norwalk. Prior to running her own practice, she worked with Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services. She attended Heidelberg University where she earned her Master's in Counseling. "Her experience as a clinician is very helpful and her expertise in the field is really important," Cardone said. The board is a public body made up of 14 volunteer board members, including clients, family members and other community leaders representing Huron County. Board members are responsible for ensuring that the residents have access to various services, including prevention, treatment and recovery support. Although not a direct service provider, the board contracts for needed services with local providers. During the last 40 years, board leadership said its efforts have improved residents' access, availability, and awareness of mental health and substance use services by utilizing multiple funding sources, including federal, state and local funds. Also serving on the 14-member board are Erin Bohne, Ben Chaffee Jr., Katie Chieda, Sandy Hovest, Nora Knople, Sandra Mesenburg, Lenora Minor, Pam Nelson, Austin Shade, John Soisson, Laura Wheeler and David Whitt.